HEART patients in Darlington are being urged to avoid becoming housebound during the winter weather.

Many people living with coronary heart disease (CHD) fear cold weather can bring on an attack. But the town's health officials say that, with the right precautions, it is much better for their health and well-being to brave the weather and remain active.

"As long as people wrap up warm, and perhaps put a scarf over their mouths and noses, they will be fine," said Barbara Conway, Darlington Primary Care Trust's clinical lead for CHD services.

"They should always carry their sprays with them and can use them before they go out into the cold to prevent an attack occurring. We don't want to see people becoming housebound, we want them to continue their physical activity for their health and to maintain their quality of life."

CHD occurs when the arteries begin to block with a fatty deposit called artheroma. If they block completely, it causes a heart attack. Before that stage it reduces the amount of oxygen to the heart, causing pain known as angina.

CHD remains the biggest cause of death in the country and affects ten per cent of the population in the North-East.

Nationally, it kills more than 110,000 people a year, with 41,000 of those under the age of 75.

CHD care in Darlington has been rated among the best in the country, with heart patients benefiting from a pioneering project called the angina plan.

This is designed to improve the quality of life by helping patients physically and mentally.

It aims to answer their questions, reduce the symptoms and prevent more serious problems occurring. It includes a written plan, relaxation audio tapes and the help of a specialist nurse.

The latest development has seen the introduction of an angina drop-in session, held on the third Wednesday of the month, in the new walk-in health centre at Doctor Piper House, King Street.

The next meeting will be on December 21, from noon, with members of the CHD team available to offer patients advice and support.